Endless conveyer egg-candling device



Oct. 19, 1948.

' w. J.. ROBERTS ENDLESS CONVEYER EGG-CANDLING DEVICE Filed May 1o, 19.46

Patented Oct. 19, 1948 UNTED STATES PATENT OFFICEl ENDLESS CONVEYER EGG-CANDLING D VICE Wesley .L Roberts, Hot Springs, Ark. Application. May 1 0, 1946,y Serial Nic-668,700

1 Claim. Y l

This invention relates to an egg candlingdes vice, and more particularly to a mechanical device adapted to facilitate the inspection of eggs by candling.

A primary object ofthis invention is the provision of anV apparatus including means whereby eggs may be moved over or past a light source at a speed suient to. expedite the handling of the eggs, but sufficiently slow to insure proper inspection of each individual egg.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a device provided with power means for moving the eggs whereby the inspectors attention may be concentrated exclusively on the proper candling of the eggs.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a device which may be readily adusted as to a convenient height for the operator.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of means in association with such a device including an endless belt whereby a plurality of eggs may be positioned thereon as rapidly as is consistent with proper inspection thereof, and moved past the light source, then removed from the belt and repacked as may be necessary.

Other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one form of device embodying features of the instant inventive concept.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3 3 of Figure 1, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Having reference now to the drawings, there is generally indicated at Il] a frame including uprights II and spaced top bars I2. The uprights Ii carry screws I3 provided with wing nuts I4, engageable in slotted apertures I5 in base members I6 comprised of angle iron, and secured to the flooring I'I, as by means of bolts I8, or the like.

One end of each of the members I2 is provided with a tongue 20 between which tongues extends an axle 2| carrying a roller 22 over which passes an endless belt 23. The end members II also carry an additional roller 24 carried on tongues 25 including slots 26 secured, as by bolts 2l', passed through the slots 26, to each upright II. At the opposite end of the frame is provided a motor supporting plate 30 adjacent uprights 3I carrying the plate and connected thereto, as by reinforcing strips 32. Plate 30 has mounted thereon a motor 33 including a drive shaft 34 which drives through suitable gears 35 and 35 a drive roller 3l journaled in the uppermost of the transverse members 32, as on an axle 38. A shield 39 is provided for the gearing.

A lower roller 4B is provided in alignment with the roller 24 and mounted on tongues 4I provided with slots 42 through which pass bolts 43 adjustably securing the tongues and hence the roller to the outermost uprights 3|. As best shown in Figure 3, the belt 23 is provided with a plurality of aligned spaced apertures 45 of a diameter slightly less than the lesser diameter of an egg, whereby an egg may be positioned directly therein if desired.

Suitable supporting rollers 46 are provided between each pair of uprights Il journaled, as on axles 41, for the support of the belt 23,

The upper portion of the belt 23 is adapted to pass over a top plate 48 provided at an intermediate portion with a longitudinal slot 49 which overlies a light housing 50, or a plurality. of light housings, as may be desired. Bulbs 5I are positioned in each housing 50 and supplied with current through a Wire 52 extending from any suitable source.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention cups 55 are provided having apertures or transparencies 56 in the sides thereof, as well as apertures in the base thereof through which the light may pass. The bases may be enlarged, as at 59, if desired, in order to seat rmly on the belt 23.

An upright 60 supports a shade lor reector 6I positioned directly over the slot 49.

When using the apparatus, :the eggs, previously positioned in cups or containers 55, are fed on the belt 23 ladjacent the motor 33 and aligned over the apertures 45. l

As the belt revolves about the rollers 22, 24, 4S, and 4'0, driven by the power roller 31, the eggs are successively passed over the lights 5I, which, it may be here pointed out, are supported in fthe cups 5D, as retained `in position by depending brackets 5l suspended from the under side of the member 48, the speed being of a degree to permit thorough inspection by an inspect-or seated adjacent the light source. The arrangement is such t'h'a-t when an egg on belt 23 registers with the light from lamp 5l, this light will pass upwardly through the egg in turn passing in modiiied form up to reflecting shade 6I Iand then the light will again be reflected down into the cup 55 beneath. As the wall of each cup is upwardly and outwardly inclined, the inner surface thereof also acts as a reflector and concentrates the light back upon the egg involved which may be viewed from the si-de yand slightly from above through aperture 55. The resulting appearance of the egg is a direct index of its condition easily recognized by an experienced Candler.

Obviously, if desired, the size of the apparatus may |be varied, as may the dimensions and size of the apertures 45, in such manner that trays, or plural-ities of eggs, may be simultaneously inspected, if desired, although it is of importance that each egg |be individually viewed over a light source.` v

From the Vforegoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided a device which accompl'ishes lall the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments maybe made of this inventive concept, and as many m'odications may be made in the embodiment herefinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein may be interpreted merely `as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

In an egg-candling device comprising a supporting table having a longitudinal slot therein and a driven lconveyor belt movable over the supporting table longitudinally above the slot and having a series of spaced apertures therein individually serving as receptacles for receiving and conveying eggs above the slot, `the features including an upwardly-directed lamp housing supported lbeneath ysaid table below the slot therein, a lamp in the lamp housing directing its rays upwardly through said slot, a plurality of upwardly-flaring cups adapted to be positioned on said conveyor belt to register with the individual apertures therein in succession, said cups lbeing adapted :to surround the eggs individually carried Iby said apertures, and a viewing window in the side Wall of each upwardly-Haring cup, and a reilector adjustably supported over said lamp housing and lamp above the path of travel of said upwardlyflaring cups on said conveyor belt.V

WESLEY J. ROBERTS.

REFERENCES CITED v The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS y Number Name Date O0 1,816,483 Heaton July 28, 1931 2,016,739 Neuhaus oct. a, 1935 

